Miami Heat's LeBron James dunks as Indiana Pacers' Paul George (24) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Written by

Candace Buckner
candace.buckner@indystar.com

Through much of Wednesday, questions swirled about the playing status of Miami Heat forward LeBron James. At shootaround, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was tight-lipped, only implying that James was still affected by a left ankle sprain and would be a game-time decision. Then, in the final moments of media availability less than an hour before tipoff, James announced that he would play.

"I'm nowhere near 100 percent," James said. "I'm healthy enough to be productive. It'd be hard to miss this one."

The news that James would play did not come as a revelation to the Pacers. Earlier, assistant coach ...